Documentary Oscar race tight

It probably comes as no surprise that a wildly successful movie about the mating and survival habits of a flock of flightless birds has made the short list of 15 potential nominees out of 82 eligible submissions in the documentary feature category for the 78th Academy Awards, but “March of the Penguins” has plenty of company.

“Mad Hot Ballroom,” “Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room,” “Murderball,” “Rize,” “Occupation: Dreamland,” all of which have enjoyed theatrical runs, made the list, as well as not-yet-released Sundance highlights “After Innocence” (due at the Nuart in Los Angeles early next year after runs in New York and Washington, D.C.), “The Devil and Daniel Johnston” and “Unknown White Male.”

Also in the running are “Favela Rising,” “On Native Soil: The Documentary of the 9/11 Commission Report,” “Street Fight,” “The Boys of Baraka,” “Darwin’s Nightmare” and “39 Pounds of Love,” which opens Dec. 2 at the Nuart in Los Angeles.

The five finalists will be announced with other Oscar nominees Jan. 31.